Adm. Ossama Rabiee, Chairman and Managing Director of the Suez Canal Authority, announced that traffic through the Canal today has witnessed the transit of the mega container ship CMA CGM GRAND PALAIS, the newest and largest environment-friendly container ship, on its first voyage through the Canal amongst vessels of the southern convoy after its safe navigation through the Strait of Bab El-Mandab on its way from Singapore to Malta.
The vessel affiliated to the French shipping line CMA CGM is considered the world's largest LNG-powered container ship, and it operates as part of the MEX maritime service connecting ports of The Far East and the Mediterranean.
The vessel is 400 m. in length, has a beam of 61 m., a maximum capacity of 23876 TEUs and a tonnage of 240 thousand tons.
In accordance with the Suez Canal Authority's protocol for vessels transiting through the Canal for the first time, Adm. Rabiee delegated chief pilots Capt/ Samir Jaafar, Capt/ Magdy El-Rafei, and Capt/ Hazem Ghaith to board the ship, welcome its crew, and present a commemorative gift to the ship's master.
Adm. Rabiee emphasized that the transit of the mega container ship through the Canal is a further testament to the Canal's ability to accommodate the newest and largest container ships in the global fleet. He further emphasized that this milestone reinforces the Canal’s standing as a safe and sustainable waterway, offering significant fuel savings due to the shorter route compared to alternative routes, thereby supporting the sustainability of global trade in line with environmental standards endorsed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Adm. Rabiee pointed out that cooperation with CMA CGM shipping line is close and long-standing, as the French Group's vessels continue to use the Canal as a safe and preferred route despite regional challenges.
On his part, Capt/ Liang Zhihua, the ship's master, affirmed that the continuous development projects in the Suez Canal waterway have enhanced both operational flexibility and navigational safety for mega vessels, a fact he witnessed firsthand during the first transit of the newest and largest environment-friendly container ship.
He also commended the efficiency and high level of professionalism demonstrated by the Suez Canal pilots, whose accumulated expertise enables them to guide mega vessels and handle modern technologies. This requires exceptional navigational skills, in-depth knowledge of the Suez Canal, and seamless coordination between the ship's master and the Authority's pilot.
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